Persimmon boss warns politics 'getting in the way' of housebuilders ahead of May general elections

The boss of housebuilder Persimmon has warned politicsis getting in the way of building homes as the general election looms closer

Chief executive Jeff Fairburn blamed planning delays for not getting as many sites open to sell homes as the firm would like.

He said many decisions are being made with an eye on polling day next May.

Fairburn added: “Running up to the election there will be political decisions made in local councils and the planning system means those local decisions can go against the officers’ recommendation, and you need to go through the appeal route.

“We are seeing an increase in those refusals and those appeal situations coming forward. As we run up to the election, you’ll see more of that happening.”

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The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply’s latest construction survey, meanwhile, showed the weakest growth in housing activity for a year amid greater caution among clients and delays to new projects.

Markit’s senior economist Tim Moore said that the housebuilding recovery “has lost some intensity”.